Public Relation Executive Salary in the United States

How much does a Public Relation Executive make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Relation Executive in the United States is $247,645 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $119.

However, a Public Relation Executive's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $278,363
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $222,334 to $263,724
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $199,290
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View as table View as graph 25% $222,334 10% $199,290 90% $278,363 75% $263,724 $247,645 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Public Relation Executive Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $263,724 $21,977 $5,072 $127
Average $247,645 $20,637 $4,762 $119
25th Percentile $222,334 $18,528 $4,276 $107
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Key Factors That Influence Public Relation Executive Salaries

A Public Relation Executive's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Public Relation Executive Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Public Relation Executive's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $94,732
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $118,089
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $133,308
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $161,002
  • Expert (over 8 years): $252,918
Levels Salary
Public Re... Level Public Relation Executive$94,732
Public Re... Level Public Relation Executive$118,089
Public Re... Level Public Relation Executive$133,308
Public Re... Level Public Relation Executive$161,002
Public Re... Level Public Relation Executive$252,918
$94,732 0 yr
$118,089 < 2 yrs
$133,308 2-4 yrs
$161,002 5-8 yrs
$252,918 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Public Relation Executive Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Public Relation Executives. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $274,193.
  • California: $273,152.
  • Massachusetts: $269,512.

Top Paying Cities for Public Relation Executives

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $312,355
  • San Francisco: $308,935
  • Oakland: $302,424

What Skills Can Increase a Public Relation Executive's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Insight (Mentioned in 7.32% Job Postings): Insight is the understanding cause and effect based on the identification of relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario.
  • Advertising (Mentioned in 4.88% Job Postings): Advertising is a marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea.:465 Sponsors of advertising are typically businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message. It differs from personal selling in that the message is non-personal, i.e., not directed to a particular individual.:661,672 Advertising is communicated through various mass media, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising or direct mail; and new media such as search results, blogs, social media, websites or text messages. The actual presentation of the message in a medium is referred to as an advertisement, or "ad" or advert for short. Commercial ads often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding", which associates a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, ads that intend to elicit an immediate sale are known as direct-response advertising. Non-commercial entities that advertise more than consumer products or services include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may use free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement. Advertising may also help to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful.
  • Business Requirements (Mentioned in 4.88% Job Postings): Also known as stakeholder requirements specifications , describe the characteristics of a proposed system from the viewpoint of the system's end user. Often discussed in the context of developing or procuring software or other systems.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Insight 7.32%
Advertising 4.88%
Business Requirements 4.88%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Public Relation Executive's salary.
  • Business Requirements: Can increase your salary by up to 35%.
  • Lean: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Storytelling: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Requirements
$334,321
35%
Lean
$287,268
16%
Storytelling
$267,457
8%
Corporate Communications
$262,504
6%
Problem Solving
$262,504
6%
Insight
$260,027
5%
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Public Relation Executive Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Public Relation Executive roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Public Relation Executive positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Relation Executive as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Public Relation Executive

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$272,410$131.010%
Biotechnology$272,410$131.010%
Business Services$272,410$131.010%
Chemicals$272,410$131.010%
Construction$272,410$131.010%

How Education impacts a Public Relation Executive's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Public Relation Executives enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Public Relation Executive with a Bachelor's Degree is between $233,946 and $255,788).

Public Relation Executive Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Public Relation Executive
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.0%
High School 4.0%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 54.9%
Masters 37.9%
Doctorate 2.2%
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Public Relation Executive Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Public Relation Executive's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Public Relation Executive

Salaries for a Public Relation Executive can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $209,487 in 2023 to around $208,624 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Public Relation Executive salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Public Relation Executive Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$209,487
2024
$210,732
2025
$208,624
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $209,487
2024 $210,732
2025 $208,624
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Public Relation Executive

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Public Relation Executive

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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